Hometown Hero: Captain Dennis Smith

PRINCETON, W.Va. (WVVA) - “Nothing in my life happens without the love of Jesus first,” said Captain Dennis Smith with the Salvation Army of Mercer County.

“This is what He does. It may not have been food boxes but He sure would made a whole bunch of food appear in two baskets.”

The Salvation Army’s food distribution is where the non profit provides a hand up not a hand out.

“I just care about people and it makes me feel good,” said Smith.

Smith’s driving force is two fold first his faith.

“I serve better when I have an example. Jesus served and he died so that we might live,” said Smith.

His mom’s upbringing is also why he gives back.

“My mother at the age of 11 was homeless by herself,” he said, “she raised herself until she became an adult.”

“Her last days, she and I were talking and we were actually talking about winning the lottery and I asked her ‘what would you do?’”

He recalled that his mother said the following: ‘I would open up a shelter because no one deserves to live life like I did.’

The corps officer says the recipients do as much for him as the organization does for the recipients.

“People here are not just people. They’re relational people and they want to talk to you and they want to get to know you and they say hi to you and they meet you in the grocery store and in the thrift store,” said Smith.

Smith said when it comes to his legacy--it resides in his faith.

“My legacy should be the love of Jesus. My legacy should be that through him and because of him i love others unconditionally.”

Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.